North Carolina Review

North Carolina ReviewI am not sure who was more excited Sunday night, Clemson players or me writing a blog recapping a 19-point loss.

There was some good news from last night, in that the game was much worse than the 80-61 score. The Tar Heels were up by 30 for much of the game.

I tweeted after the game that I had a choice Sunday night. I could have watched Clemson play basketball at North Carolina on ESPNU or “The Godfather II” on AMC. I have seen both many times and can tell you exactly how each ends. Clemson basketball in Chapel Hill is how Fredo felt in the boat.

In another movie reference, Clemson basketball is like “Groundhog Day,” but we aren't honored with the genius of Bill Murray. The next time Clemson plays basketball at Chapel Hill I wish they would schedule the game on February 2. That would be appropriate.

I have said many times on my radio show and on this blog that I may be the only Clemson fan that doesn't care about the streak. It never crosses my mind. In fact, I had no idea what the streak was until ESPNU put the graphic up last night.

My rationale for this attitude is that even if we had won last night we would’ve been 1-56 in Chapel Hill. That is nothing to be proud of. In my mind 1-56 is not a whole lot better than 0-57.

I watched Sunday night without hopes of ending the streak. My focus was getting a road win the ACC and getting to 5-2 in the conference. That obviously didn't happen.

I don't expect to win in Chapel Hill but I do expect to compete. That also didn't happen.

Former Clemson player Tanner SmithTanner SmithSr. Guard#5 6-5, 210Alpharetta, GAView Full Profile tweeted during the game that “effort and toughness didn't make the flight.”

I can accept losing but I can't accept not competing. It was a pathetic effort with no energy and no enthusiasm. I don't expect to play well but I do expect to play hard. Anything less is unacceptable.

I didn't mind that Clemson shot just 34% from the field. The Tigers are not a great offensive team and don't have great skill.

My problems are with the defense allowing North Carolina to shoot 55% from the field. That effort was disappointing.

I also have an issue that the Tar Heels shot 44% from three. North Carolina made eight three pointers despite being one of the worst three point shooting teams in the country. I thought the defensive effort was below the standard. Allowing North Carolina to dominate with points in the paint was unacceptable.

Now the Tigers must rebound after two blowout losses on the road. The Tigers were not competitive in either game and still have a tough schedule ahead. Clemson travels to Florida State next Saturday which is a tough matchup for the Tigers who were blown out by the Seminoles in Littlejohn earlier this month.

After a home game with Georgia Tech, the Tigers have back to back games at second-ranked Syracuse and Notre Dame.

With three of the next four on the road, Clemson must improve its mindset before Saturday. If not, it could mean a few more road blowouts on the horizon.

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